Federal Early Childhood Special Education Policy: A Model for the Improvement of Services for Children with Disabilities

Hebbeler, Kathleen; Smith, Barbara J.; Black, Talbot

doi:10.1177/001440299105800202

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Continued attempts were made to break the age barrier in a downward direction. The Office of Special Education Programs continued efforts to focus on young children with disabilities by using discretionary research and personnel preparation funds to create Early Childhood Research Institutes and fellowships for students interested in becoming teachers in early childhood programs (Hebbeler, Smith, & Black, 1991). The 1983 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act (P.L.…”

Section: The Courtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Beginnings of Federal Help for Young Children with Disabilities

Gallagher

2000

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education

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The beginning of federal help for young people with disabilities was stimulated by an earlier interest in economically disadvantaged children through HeadStart. Because of that interest a small demonstration program, the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP), a visible concern for young children with disabilities began in 1968. A major technical assistance project accompanied the HCEEP program, followed by personnel preparation and research initiatives in early childhood by OSEP and NICHD. State grants to aid in developing early childhood services were followed by the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986 that mandated services in participating states. A total of 18 years was needed before these various components were in place, reminding us that public policy moves incrementally even in areas of substantial professional and public agreement.From the broad perspective of history at the end of the millenium, it is easy now to see the inevitability of broad support from the federal government for education and other services for young children with disabilities. These broad trends were supported by our concern with civil rights and societal empathy for parents and children who were in trouble through no fault of their own. These trends flowed through the 1960s to the present. They represent American society's growing maturity and sense of responsibility. However, these broad trends were, in turn, shaped and structured by a series of lesser events that were determined by unique circumstances and people ; so it was with the programs and services for young children with disabilities.

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Section: The Courtsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Beginnings of Federal Help for Young Children with Disabilities

Gallagher

2000

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education

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“…Quality. In addition to federal programs that promote access to services and rights, the federal government has taken a pivotal role in research and development (R&D) efforts to improve the quality of those services for over 30 years (Gallagher, in this issue; Hebbeler, Smith, & Black, 1991 (Smith & McKenna, 1994). By the mid-1980s advocates were becoming increasingly frustrated with the unwillingness of states to pass laws for young children with disabilities or to provide funding for services.…”

Section: An Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

The Federal Role in Early Childhood Special Education Policy in the Next Century

Smith

2000

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education

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This article describes the relationship of federal, state, and local policy as it relates to early childhood special education (ECSE) policies. The article describes the balance of power among the three levels of government established by a system of federalism, such as the U.S. form of government. The author hypothesizes that efforts on behalf of young children with special needs and their families need to be increasingly focused on local action rather than federal. The role of the federal government in ECSE policy may diminish in the future, and the goals of policy, whether federal or local policies, are more likely to be met if individuals at the local level commit to local action. The author proposes that future federal, state, or local policy gains will be dependent on actions taken by individuals at the state and local level.

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“…For ECSE funding, I would argue that we have clear evidence to argue for what existed for 25 years as the Handicapped Children’s Early Education Program (HCEEP). It is no coincidence and no accident that HCEEP was determined by a government-independent audit to be one of the most effective programs in all of the federal government (Hebbeler, Smith, & Black, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal Thoughts on Early Childhood Special Education Research: An Historical Perspective, Threats to Relevance, and Call to Action

Strain

2018

Journal of Early Intervention

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This article is based on my 2016 keynote address at the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. Historical tendencies as well as current day research funding mechanisms and priorities are presented. I argue for a more field-initiated research process, a focus on individual participant needs, and a more thoughtful study of factors that lead practitioners and administrators to adopt, use with fidelity, and sustain the use of DEC’s Recommended Practices.

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Federal Early Childhood Special Education Policy: A Model for the Improvement of Services for Children with Disabilities

Cited by 13 publications

References 2 publications

The Beginnings of Federal Help for Young Children with Disabilities

The Beginnings of Federal Help for Young Children with Disabilities

The Federal Role in Early Childhood Special Education Policy in the Next Century

Personal Thoughts on Early Childhood Special Education Research: An Historical Perspective, Threats to Relevance, and Call to Action

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